Tooth model occlusion testing device

• US 6,869,281 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry W. Doviack
• Original Assignee: Jerry W. Doviack
• Inventors: Doviack, Jerry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUMGARNER, MELBA N
• Application Number:
  US10/337,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 433/60, 433/61, 433/66, 433/54, 433/196, 433/34, 433/58, 433/56, 433/68, 433/55, 433/50, 433/59, 433/57
• US Class Current: 433/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 11/02 characterised by the arrangement, location or type of the hinge means ; Articulators with pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 11/06 with incisal guide
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/002 Means or methods for correctly replacing a dental model, e.g. dowel pins; Dowel pin positioning means or methods

Abstract

A tooth model occlusion testing device comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw that pivotally connect to each other. Two tooth model bases are respectively received in the upper and lower jaws, and are provided with a plurality of perforations to insert a tooth model. The upper and lower jaws are thereby capable of turning to an open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

Claims

1. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity where is received the upper part of the tooth model, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge;

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity where is received the lower part of the tooth model, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to open and occluding positions to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position; and

two tooth model bases, respectively received in the first and second placement cavities, the tooth model bases respectively including a plurality of perforations to respectively insert the upper and lower parts of the tooth model; and

a plurality of transparent films, respectively adhered on the tooth model bases, the transparent films being marked with central reference indicator lines and front and rear direction indicator lines, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to the open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include first and second abutments for relatively positioning the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include retainer projections on which is securely held a resilient element.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the resilient element is provided with resilient characteristics that allow to securely fasten the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a side opposite to that of the first and second arms are respectively provided with a positioning rod and a positioning finger that abut against each other when the upper and lower jaws are in the occluding position.

6. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge;

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges;

at least one tooth model base received in one of the first and second placement cavities, the tooth model base including a plurality of perforations to insert one of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model; and

a transparent film adhered on the tooth model base, the transparent film being marked with central reference indicator lines and front and rear direction indicator lines.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the tooth model base is integrated in a single thin insert.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one tooth model base includes two tooth model bases, one of the tooth model bases being insertable into the upper part of the tooth model and the other of the tooth model bases being insertable into the lower part of the tooth model, thereby the upper and lower jaws are turnable to open and occluding positions to evaluate alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein an inner sidewall of each of the first and second placement cavities and each of the tooth model bases are further respectively provided with corresponding projections and recessed portions to adequately position the tooth model bases in the first and second placement cavities.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein each of the tooth model bases has a transparent film adhered thereto.

11. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge;

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges;

two tooth model bases, respectively received in the first and second placement cavities, the tooth model bases respectively including a plurality of perforations to respectively insert the upper and lower parts of the tooth model; and

a plurality of transparent films, respectively adhered on the tooth model bases, the transparent films being marked with central reference indicator lines and front and rear direction indicator lines, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to open and occluding positions to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include first and second abutments for relatively positioning the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include retainer projections on which is securely held a resilient element.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the resilient element is provided with resilient characteristics that allow to securely fasten the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a side opposite to that of the first and second arms are respectively provided with a positioning rod and a positioning finger that abut against each other when the upper and lower jaws are in the occluding position.